Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Season

Pulling back the curtain on the high-profile, high-pressure world he operates in, Urban Meyer offers listeners a groundbreaking game plan for creating a culture of success that engages and inspires the people around them - the very game plan he followed every day in the Buckeyes' historic 2014 season.

You Win in the Locker Room First: The 7 C's to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life

You Win in the Locker Room First draws on the extraordinary experiences of Coach Mike Smith and Jon Gordon - consultant to numerous college and professional teams - to explore the seven powerful principles that any business, school, organization, or sports team can adopt to revitalize their organization.

The Carpenter: A Story about the Greatest Success Strategies of All

Michael wakes up in the hospital with a bandage on his head and fear in his heart. The stress of building a growing business, with his wife Sarah, caused him to collapse while on a morning jog. When Michael finds out the man who saved his life is a Carpenter he visits him and quickly learns that he is more than just a Carpenter; he is also a builder of lives, careers, people, and teams. As the Carpenter shares his wisdom, Michael attempts to save his business in the face of adversity, rejection, fear, and failure.

InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives

Joe Ehrmann's coaching philosophy was described by Jeffrey Marx in the best seller Season of Life, and since the publication of that book, thousands of coaches have looked to Joe for advice about putting his philosophy into practice. InSideOut Coaching provides the critical information and tools they've been waiting for - the information to help coaches everywhere create more meaningful experiences for themselves and to maximize their impact on the lives of the athletes they coach.

Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Training Camp is an inspirational story filled with invaluable lessons and insights on bringing out the best in yourself and your team. The story follows Martin, an un-drafted rookie trying to make it in the NFL. He's spent his entire life proving to the critics that a small guy with a big heart can succeed against all odds. After spraining his ankle in the pre-season, Martin thinks his dream is lost - but then he meets a very special coach who shares 11 life-changing lessons that keep his dream alive.

The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People & Teams That Win Consistently

"Your only job is to help your players be better." That single idea had a huge impact on Tony Dungy when he heard it from one of his earliest mentors, and it led him to develop the successful leadership style so admired by players and coaches throughout the NFL. Now, a storied career and a Super Bowl victory later, Tony Dungy is sharing his unique leadership philosophy with you.

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

In the mode of other best selling business fables The Energy Bus, takes listeners on an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment - at work and at home. Everyone faces challenges. And every person, organization, company and team will have to overcome negativity and adversity to define themselves and create their success.

Saban: The Making of a Coach

As the head coach of the University of Alabama's football team, Nick Saban is perhaps the most influential - and controversial - man in the sport. Unpredictable in his professional loyalties, uncompromising in his vision, and unyielding in his pursuit of perfection, the highest-paid coach in college football has changed the face of the game. His program-building vision has delivered packed stadiums, rabid fans, legions of detractors, countless NFL draft picks, and a total of four championships.

The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work

In the spirit of his international best seller, The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon once again shares an inspiring and enlightening story that reveals a powerful way to tackle the biggest problem in business and life - the negativity that costs organizations billions of dollars and impacts the morale, productivity, and health of individuals and teams.

The Hard Hat: 21 Ways to Be a Great Teammate

From the moment Jon Gordon heard about George Boiardi and the hard hat, he was intrigued and captivated. Over the years he visited George's coaches, attended several "21 Dinners" held in his honor, met his family, talked to his teammates, and observed how he inspired all who knew him.

The Seed: Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work

This book offers practical wisdom on discovering your true purpose, professionally and in life in general, in the form of a business fable by Jon Gordon, the best-selling author of The Energy Bus and Soup. Nobody captures the deeper meaning of business like Jon Gordon, and The Seed is his most searching and significant book yet. Whatever your profession, take this insightful look at the purpose behind work, and plant the seed of inspiration in your life!

Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life

What if you were given the ultimatum: make a radical shift in your life, or lose it all? This was the question Alan Deutschman posed in "Change or Die", his sensational cover story for the May 2005 issue of Fast Company. Surprisingly, Deutschman concluded that although we all have the innate capability and fundamental need to change our behavior, we rarely ever do.

Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms

In this powerful book, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow passionately shares glimpses of his journey staying grounded in the face of disappointment, criticism, and intense media scrutiny. Following an exceptional college football career with the Florida Gators and a promising playoff run with the Denver Broncos, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets. He was released after one season. In Shaken, Tebow talks about what he's learned along the way.

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

In Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin share hard-hitting Navy SEAL combat stories that translate into lessons for business and life. With riveting firsthand accounts of making high-pressure decisions as Navy SEAL battlefield leaders, this audiobook is equally gripping for leaders who seek to dominate other arenas.

One Word That Will Change Your Life: Expanded Edition

One Word explains how to simplify your life and business by focusing on just ONE WORD for the entire year. The simplicity of choosing one word makes it a catalyst for life-change. Clutter and complexity lead to procrastination and paralysis, while simplicity and focus lead to success and clarity. By celebrated authors Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon, One Word That Will Change Your Life shows you how to cut through to the core of your intention for the next year.

The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

Drawn from a series of deeply revealing conversations with coauthor Steve Jamison, The Score Takes Care of Itself offers Walsh's best leadership principles illustrated by anecdotes from his entire career. Additional insights and perspective are provided by his son Craig Walsh. The book will delight football fans and guide the vast business audience eager to learn how Bill Walsh motivated individuals and crafted winning teams.

The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life

Mike Matheny was just 41, without professional managerial experience and looking for a next step after a successful career as a Major League catcher, when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While Matheny has enjoyed immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in his first three years, people have noticed something else about his life, something not measured in day-to-day results.

SOUP: A Recipe to Nourish Your Team and Culture

Only a few months into her new job, Nancy wondered whether or not she should have said yes to the CEO position at Soup, Inc. Sales were declining, bankruptcy and takeover rumors were swirling, and employee morale had never been lower. The company had lost both flavor and heat; and nobody likes lukewarm soup. How was Nancy going to turn it around?Sometimes the answer you need is right in front of you.

Publisher's Summary

A captivating story that will help you find your purpose and leadership in life. Although he’s one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in Kentucky’s history, Steve Rocker, for the first time in his life, is falling short of expectations. His players have lost their will to win, their love for their teammates, and their passion to play. Coach Rocker’s motivational methods that have always worked before - and have resulted in his success - are now failing, and he doesn’t know why. Struggling to understand what’s happening, Coach seeks the counsel of one of his most successful friends, CEO Grant Steffin, who, while fighting his own battles, offers advice based on his own leadership experiences. Coach Rocker also stumbles upon some unexpected insight from - of all people - Joe Taylor, the high school janitor. As Coach’s season spirals downward, and as he continues to interact with these two intriguing men, the why questions become louder and louder in his head. Why does he do what he does? Or for that matter, why does he even exist? These questions eventually push him to go deeper into his own heart than he ever imagined possible to determine his purpose not only in leadership but also in life.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It should be purchased and listened to. I have recommended it to a number of people already. That being said, I was completely underwhelmed with the narration. Honestly, I would not be excited to hear anything else read by Mr. Batchelar.

Excessive passion and competitiveness whether in sports or in business has extreme negative consequences. This fictional audiobook, paints the picture vividly while also causing one to evaluate their purpose and what is really important in life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of LEAD . . . For God's Sake!?

While winning is important, contrary to what some would want you to believe, it isn't everything. Faith, family, and relationships need to be part of true success and a fulfilled life.

What does Brandon Batchelar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice at times carries strength that can verge on arrogance at just the right times that one would imagine would reflect that of a winning coach. At other appropriate times it reflects empathy and compassion. Well done for this listeners ears.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At 64 years old, I feel that I have personally experienced and observed all aspects of the characters in the book. The book brilliantly has condensed a lifetime of learning into a short and very interesting read. I wish I could have learned those lessons a long time ago. That said, it's never to late to do the right thing(s).

Would you try another book from Todd G. Gongwer and/or Brandon Batchelar?

I would steer clear of the author, mainly for his repetitive, and plump attempts at suspense, repeated injection of religious ideals that are non-exclusive to Christianity (but are marketed that way), and overall low quality of writing.

What was most disappointing about Todd G. Gongwer’s story?

I bought the physical copy of the book, read six pages, and had to get an audio book (yay free sign-up credits!). It is impossible to get through.

Did LEAD . . . For God's Sake! inspire you to do anything?

LEAD inspires compassion, leading by example, and mindfulness in human interactions.In that, it is a long-winded and needlessly lengthy parable.

You will experience the spectrum of emotions as you take the journey through this book. A must read for all who aspire to lead. The message is woven through the tale of a team and its triumphs and struggles. Highly recommended! READ IT...For God's Sake! And Yours!!